The historical animosity between India and Pakistan took center stage in the SAFF U-17 Championship in Sri Lanka. The football match between the two countries was marred by provocative celebrations by the Pakistani team. These celebrations stirred controversy and ignited tensions among the fans. Muhammad Abdullah, a Pakistani forward, after scoring a goal, performed a ‘tea-drinking’ gesture, which was interpreted as a deliberate reference to the arrest of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019. The player’s gesture was quickly condemned by many as disrespectful. The celebration also involved the player seemingly mimicking an airplane crash. This further fueled the controversy, as it was perceived as a mocking reference to the events from earlier in the year. Despite the provocative acts, India’s U-17 team managed to secure a 3-2 victory, with Rahan Ahmed scoring the decisive goal. This win ensured India’s top position in Group B, leading to a semi-final match against Nepal. Pakistan, as the runner-up, will play against Bangladesh in their semi-final fixture.
